News Broadcasting
Financial autonomy of pubcaster essential: Reddy
NEW DELHI: Union minister for information and broadcasting Jaipal Reddy said that financial autonomy of public broadcaster was essential for giving true autonomy to Doordarshan and All-India Radio and suggested that public opinion be built up regarding new sources of funding of the organisations like a one-time fee on radio and TV sets in the country.
With nearly two third of expenditure being funded by the government, it was not possible to stop government intervention, he said.
Speaking at a seminar on “A Decade of Citizen’s Initiative ” organised by Jan Prasar, he said all non-governmental organisations and academicians engaged in the field of mass-communication should come forward and work towards creating an enabling environment conducive for creating of model in which financial autonomy of Prasar Bharati can be ensured.
He said during his last tenure in the I&B ministry, he had worked towards a bill aimed at annual licence fee, which was criticised by manufacturers of television sets. He said financial autonomy to Prasar Bharati was essential to take it out of governmental control.
Reddy also felt that there was a need to set up a semi-governmental organisation to regulate content on TV.
Reddy also announced that Prasar Bharati was all set to launch its KU-band DTH service later this month that will initially have 30 channels, including 14 channels of Doordarshan. The number of channels would go to 40 by yearend.
The main feature of DTH service is that it will be available to the people free of cost. They will have to make one-time investment of Rs 3,000 only for buying the set.
On future of FM and community radio, the minister said a regime enabling huge expansion was being worked out. Efforts were on to simplify and rationalise procedures in allowing setting up of community radio. He said the country could have up to 4,000 community radio stations and over 400 FM radio stations.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
